Page 45 of Between Now and Always

“Beth, are you sure? I mean, I’ll understand if you didn’t want me this… me to find you,” I say, moving my hand to cup her face instead.

Her eyes shine with sincerity. They’re the color of a wild beautiful sea. I want to get lost in it, and never be found again.

“I’msoglad you found me. Promise me you always will,” she says in a soft, voice.

“Hey, Queen Beth.” I smile back at her.

“Hey King Carter,” she says, turning her face so her lips press a kiss to my palm. I groan.

This is dangerous. Right now, I’m not sure I care. If we were alone, I would kiss her - and not give a damn that it was wrong.

Hetal swoops in, wraps an arm around Beth’s shoulder and shoots me a “you’ve got some explaining to do” look before she smiles at Beth.

“You wereamazing.Thank you for coming and accepting our award. This is going to be great for fundraising! Everyone is so excited to meet you. So, as much as I hate to break up your conversation with Carter—and I can’t wait to hear all about how you two know each other - I must insist that you come and say hello.”

“I should go,” Beth says.

“You should go,” I say at the same time and we laugh, the tension that was building falls away.

“You go do what you came for. Tomorrow, I’ll come talk to Joe and come see you. If that’s okay,” I look closely at her face to see if there’s any hint of reluctance.

Her eyes twinkle and she grins as if joy has hooked itself to the corners of her mouth.

“I can’t wait. Joe likes to cook, too. It’ll be fun. Let me give you my address.” She look around, and then turns back to face me with a sheepish smile on her face. “I don’t have anything to write with.”

I hand her my phone. “Put your number in and I’ll call you in the morning to get your address before I head over. And I’ve got a surprise for you so I hope you’re not busy Sunday night.”

She frowns, and I’m so happy to see that contrary, but amazingly familiar expression, that I laugh.

“It’s a good surprise, I promise.”

She laughs too and then lifts up to pull me into another hug. She whispers in my ear, “You are the best surprise of my entire life. I love you.” And then she lets go and walks away.

I watch her go and don’t let myself notice how good her ass looks in that dress.

The More The Merrier

BETH

“You’re a nice young man. Too many tattoos for my taste, but your generation is different,” Joe says by way of his final parting as Carter and I get ready to leave.

He called this morning as promised and was here at 1pm on the dot. Joe made his famous chili and cornbread. Carter brought him a bottle of Johnny Walker 18 and a coffee table book on the history of music in Brooklyn.

He was born in Park Slope, which is very different from Crown Heights, where Joe lived as a child. But it’s clear that they both love the city they call home and in minutes, the skeptical, slightly mistrustful vibe they were giving each other is gone.

“So, you’ve got a helmet for her?” Joe asks him and Carter nods obligingly as if it’s the first time he’s asked. Andnotthe fifth.

“And you know she has work tomorrow, so, I’m sure you won’t be getting her in too late,” he says, his voice still stern.

When Carter first arrived, he said, “Now, I know you’re famous and all son, but in my house, we’re just regular humans. If that girl is smiling, you’re always welcome. But if you do anything to turn that smile upside down, you’ll find out why the called me Low Blow Joe in my day.”

I was amazed that Carter didn’t laugh. Instead he nodded solemnly and said “Sir, if I turn her smile upside down, I’ll take whatever punishment you decide is fitting, because I’ll deserve it.”

He’s feeding Joe’s misconception about our relationship. Part of me knows I shouldn’t encourage him. But there’s a part of me that just wants to enjoy pretending that he’s a guy coming to take me on a date.

I’ve held his hand a lot tonight. It’s just friendly, though. Sure, I don’t just randomly hold hands with my other friends. But, I don’thaveany other friends like Carter.

I’m playing with fire and if I don’t stop, it’s going to burn me.

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